Asbestos poses serious health hazards, especially when disturbed. Asbestos exposure can lead to severe fatal illnesses like mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer. Given these dangers, strict regulations exist for removing and disposing of asbestos-containing materials. Only certified abatement professionals trained in handling asbestos are allowed to remove it. However, in Spokane, Washington, workers at a U-Haul facility were unknowingly put at risk of asbestos exposure due to their employer's negligence. As a result, U-Haul has been fined $231,000 for violating safety regulations and putting its employees at risk of mesothelioma.
U-Haul purchased a new facility in Spokane, a building previously a K-Mart. Workers were ordered to begin operations without testing for hazardous materials as the building was undergoing renovations. When testing was conducted, the results revealed a dangerous amount of asbestos, nearly 90,000 square feet of contaminated vinyl flooring and adhesive. Despite discovering this toxic material, U-Haul failed to address the issue adequately. The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency fined the company and ordered it to follow asbestos safety regulations. While some tiles were coated with epoxy and others were removed by a certified asbestos abatement team, U-Haul opened the service center before the job was completed. This meant that employees were still working in an unsafe environment, and U-Haul, Spokane branch, knowingly exposed them to asbestos in the newly purchased facility.
The risk became clear when mechanics noticed tiles popping up when trucks were brought into the service center. The weight of the vehicles and the use of jackhammers caused the tiles to crack and break apart, releasing asbestos fibers into the air. Instead of warning workers about the danger, U-Haul management instructed them to remove and dispose of the tiles in regular trash bins. Employees used shovels, putty knives, and even a torch to remove the tiles off the floor. All this was done without respirators or protective equipment, making the workers unknowingly inhale asbestos fibers, the leading cause of mesothelioma. It was later estimated that workers had thrown away approximately 300 square feet of asbestos-laden tiles.
The company's negligence also involved failure to conduct asbestos awareness training for workers. This is legally required for anyone who might come into contact with asbestos. Instead, workers were only given disposable gloves and safety glasses, which are inadequate when handling asbestos. Surprisingly, this isn't the first time U-Haul has been in the limelight for asbestos violations. In 2019, the company was fined after an almost similar situation happened in Santa Barbara County, California. The company had purchased another K-Mart building there and had required employees to use demolition equipment to remove asbestos-containing flooring in the facility. Despite past violations, the company continued disregarding safety regulations, once again putting workers at risk.
U-Haul did not appeal the $231,000 fine imposed by Washington state authorities. The money collected from the penalty will be directed to the workers' compensation supplemental pension fund, which helps support injured employees and their families.
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment and help you and your family live a more comfortable life.
